Sicily is a vast island rich in historical landmarks, artistic influences, and precious architecture, which is why tourists love to explore it extensively for an extended period. Particularly, Catania is commonly considered the pearl of the eastern Sicilian coast, as it can practically enchant anyone with its folklore, which animates the city’s streets every day, as well as its monuments and typical dishes. The surrounding landscapes are all worth discovering, making Catania ideal even for those planning to base their holidays on trekking. But when it comes to organization, what should you know about traveling to Catania? Here is everything you need to know about its monuments, itineraries, flights, hotels, B&Bs, and typical dishes.
Monuments of Catania: The Most Beautiful to Visit
As mentioned, Catania is a Sicilian city rich in monuments to admire, many of which are ancient and date back to various civilizations. The first to mention, as a symbol of this charming metropolis, is the Palazzo degli Elefanti in Piazza Duomo, the current seat of the Municipality of Catania. Built by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini following the earthquake of 1693, this building owes its name to the elephants adorning the balcony pediments, an animal present on Catania’s coat of arms. In this regard, the elephant is also the protagonist of another structure in the same Piazza, the Fontana dell’Elefante. This latter dates back to Roman times and was created by the same architect of the Palazzo degli Elefanti, although the obelisk on the animal’s back is of Egyptian origin; it was likely brought to the city during the Crusades.
Moving on, another significant Catanese monument is the Roman Theater, located along Via Vittorio Emanuele II. Dating back to the Imperial Roman period, the theater was built on the base of a pre-existing Greek structure and features materials like marble and lava stone. These two materials are historically the most used in Catania, as a specific aesthetic coherence was established: most city monuments are in black and white. The Ursino Castle is also striking, an ancient medieval fortress built to serve as the residence of Spanish sovereigns, which today houses the civic museum.
And how can we forget the prestigious Cathedral of Saint Agatha? This is the Duomo of Catania, which attracts numerous tourists and Catanese devotees to the local patron saint. Another must-visit monument in Catania is the Basilica Collegiata, built in 1768; inside, you can see some frescoes by Sciuti and paintings by Sozzi. Readers should also note the presence of the prestigious Bonajuto chapel in the city, dating back to the early medieval period and located in the homonymous palace: it is one of the rare Byzantine monuments in Catania. Finally, there is Porta Garibaldi, a structure dedicated to one of the most famous Italian historical figures, nicknamed ‘U Furtino’ by the Catanese, meaning The Fortino, as it resembles the old fort of the Duke of Ligne.
Itinerary for Catania in 1 Day
To plan a perfect one-day itinerary in Catania, you need to focus on what to see based on the various city areas. You can start in the morning by exploring the center, specifically in Piazza Duomo, where you can find the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Fontana dell’Elefante, and the Cathedral of Saint Agatha. To delve deeper into the heart of Catania, you could lose yourself among the colorful stalls of the fish market, just a few steps from Piazza Duomo, separated by a sixteenth-century tunnel.
There is nothing better than enjoying a healthy walk while literally breathing in the city’s typical flavors, hearing the vendors’ spirited cries offering their freshly caught fish. For a quick lunch, it is recommended to buy a delicious sandwich with horse meat, which is cooked on the barbecue. The Catania itinerary continues with a visit to the Roman Theater, then passing through Porta Garibaldi and entering the marvelous Basilica Collegiata. At this point, you can conclude your tour by walking along Via Crociferi, considered one of the most beautiful streets in Italy.
Itinerary for Catania in 3 Days
With three days available, you can plan a deeper itinerary for Catania, organizing different activities for each day. The suggestion for the first day is to start from the center of Catania, admiring Piazza Duomo with its buildings such as the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Fontana dell’Elefante, the Cathedral of Saint Agatha, and Palazzo Biscari. Walking, you can reach the fish market, then stop for lunch at a local place like Osteria Antica Marina. Afterward, you should head to the Ursino Castle, then lose yourself among the streets of Via Crociferi and Via Etnea. The last monument to see on the first day in Catania is the Basilica della Collegiata; for dinner, you can calmly taste the delicious Catanese dishes prepared by the renowned Trattoria U Fucularu.
The second day can be almost entirely dedicated to the suggestive Etna Park (with a guided tour), then head to the San Berillo district in the late afternoon. For lunch, you would resort to a packed lunch, while for dinner, it is suggested to try the culinary specialties prepared by La Pentolaccia.
To complete the Catania itinerary, on the third day, you have the opportunity to visit the picturesque nearby areas such as Aci Trezza, Aci Castello, and even Taormina and Isola Bella. In this case, it is preferable to have a quick lunch, maybe a sandwich, and then enjoy a delicious dinner at Putia Dell’Ostello.
Flights to Catania: Where is the Airport?
It is often mistakenly thought that the main airport in Sicily is in Palermo, when in fact it is Catania Fontanarossa, the busiest in all of Southern Italy for national traffic. The airport, located in the Fontanarossa district, is not well connected by public transport, so to reach the center of Catania (5.5 kilometers away), it is recommended to take a taxi or an Alibus company bus; the latter then stops at the train station in Catania.
Best Hotels in Catania
To travel to Catania, you need to find a comfortable and convenient accommodation both economically and for its strategic location. In this regard, it might be useful to know the descending ranking of the best hotels in Catania, to better plan your stay:
- Liberty Hotel
- Palace Catania
- Airone City Hotel
- NH Catania Centro
- Romano Palace Luxury Hotel
Best B&Bs in Catania
Hotels can appear more comfortable and complete than B&Bs, but the latter are certainly more economical and can still surprise with the quality of services and the beauty of the rooms. Below is the ranking of the best B&Bs in Catania, which excel in location, breakfast, and comfort:
- Le Suites del Duomo Luxury
- Sinfonia Suites Catania
- Suite sul mare
- Sicula Home
- Etna Suite
Typical Dishes in Catania: What to Eat
In Catania, you eat very well, you just need to know what the typical dishes are and what to eat during your stay. As for street food, it is essential to try the arancino, a unique delicacy, while if you sit in a Catanese tavola calda, you can taste the cipollina and the scacciata. Horse meat is renowned here, so at least one sandwich and the meatballs must be savored, but the caponata is also incredible. Regarding pastries, the Catanese iris, the cannolo, and the granita are highly recommended.
